The fashion to visit a sun deck, has arisen not so long ago. A beautiful tan became an indispensable attribute of success, which led to the creation of devices that replace the action of sunlight, namely the ultraviolet rays on the body. Until now, disputes continue over whether the solarium is harmful.

Sunbathing can be done under the sun, especially since we receive our daily dose of ultraviolet rays. Of course, in countries that are closer to the poles, it is less, but does ultraviolet need the body? Let's see if it's worth to sunbathe, and even more so - is it harmless to get a tan in a tanning salon, artificially?

How ultraviolet rays act on the body

Ultraviolet rays are of different lengths and therefore they are divided into three groups: UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. Unlike infrared radiation, ultraviolet can change chemical processes.

The most active in this respect is UV-C. It is these rays, acting on oxygen, that destroy it on atoms, which leads to the formation of ozone, which actively absorbs them, so they do not reach the surface of the globe more often. Of course, if we do not take into account the formation of ozone holes, which dramatically increases the level of radiation.

UV-B is also mostly absorbed by ozone, usually only a small fraction of it reaches the earth. But, it is this spectrum that actively influences the body, and at the time when UV-C coagulates the body's proteins, UV-B can simulate metabolic processes, increase immunity if its doses are low. Irradiation in large quantities can lead to cell mutations. Ultraviolet B rays of the group are capable of affecting the body both positively and negatively.

UV-A rays do not penetrate deeply into the skin, but they oxidize the melanin pigment found in the cells of the epithelium, which causes it to darken or tan. The color of the tan depends on the amount of melanin in the surface layer - the smaller it is, the harder it will be to tan. Therefore, some people can not tan, their skin turns red, inflames, and sometimes becomes covered with small pigment spots that form in places with a high content of melanin.

By the way, the activity of melanocytes, which it produces, is increased by the action of UV-B rays, and at the same time the development of cancer melanoma is also associated with them. So can a solarium, the lamps of which create artificially ultraviolet rays be safe? What is harmful sun or solarium?

What is a solarium

The solarium is a device with lamps generating ultraviolet rays. According to manufacturers, special filters completely exclude UV-C rays, and UV-A and UV-B in them are in the optimal ratio. The only thing is that this ratio is individual for people of different skin types, and those who pursue profit and put lamps with increased content in the spectrum of UV-B rays do not think about the danger to the client.

Another problem is that the lamps have a shelf life, having worked for 600-800 hours, they will not be able to provide a normal tan. Therefore, it is important that they are faithfully and timely changed. And in the first 50-100 hours of their work, they warned the client that the duration of stay in the solarium needs to be reduced, as new lamps radiate more efficiently, and the rate of irradiation rises.

Now there are many different solariums horizontal, vertical, with increased comfort (aromatherapy), but, most importantly, - safety. What gives us a solarium, benefit or harm?

To find out whether the benefits of visiting a solarium is necessary to understand how ultraviolet rays affect a person.

tissue regeneration

UV rays can stimulate the production in the body of vitamin D, which is necessary for the exchange of calcium and phosphorus. Its deficiency can cause rickets in children, bone disease, brittle bones and much more.

They enhance oxidation-reduction processes, activate enzymes, improve the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates.

Strengthen the regeneration of tissues, their blood supply.

Improve the overall tone of the body due to increased production of biologically active substances and endorphins (hormones of joy).

Increase the overall immunity, stimulating the production of antibodies, phagocytic activity.

Often, ultraviolet rays are used to prevent various diseases, improve immunity, diseases of the nervous system, skin, bones and joints. But all this is manifested only when exposed to ultraviolet rays in a small dose, and it needs to be done under the supervision of a doctor. And if you exceed the dose, trying to get a tan faster, then the effect can be deplorable.

The damage of ultraviolet rays

What is harmful for a solarium? Ultraviolet rays affect the chemical processes in the tissues of the body and with prolonged intense irradiation this can cause:

dermatitis

oppression of the body's immune system;

skin burns;

development of dermatitis;

development of malignant tumors of the skin (melanoma);

eye diseases (conjunctivitis, cataract).

The number of malignant skin diseases grows every year, and it's not for nothing that scientists and doctors try to inform the population that excessive exposure to UV rays is dangerous. Many people, without thinking about it, still try to tan with the help of a solarium.

The fact is that skin cancer does not always occur immediately, ultraviolet rays activate mitosis of cells and in some cases damage DNA, and these damaged cells can be in a dormant state for a long time, and under certain conditions start to multiply, causing the development of cancer.

Many tumors have the same development, for example, 40% of brain cancer patients reported head irradiation 10-15 years before the disease. Is it worth it to risk your health by artificially exposing the skin? The risk of skin cancer in those who regularly visit the solarium increases with age by 75%, according to the studies conducted.

Contraindications to visit the solarium

There are groups of people who are not allowed to visit the solarium, they are:

It is not recommended to visit the solarium for those who have an overdose of ultraviolet rays can cause so-called solar poisoning. It is characterized by redness, burning of the skin, the formation of blisters, itching, hives. There are also symptoms such as dizziness, headache, temperature and even loss of consciousness.

There are also other restrictions for visiting the solarium, for example, taking certain medications, including antibiotics, antifungals, certain cardiac agents, and many others. Before going to the procedure, read the instructions of the medicine that you are taking, it may indicate that the drug causes photosensitivity of the body. The same effect can have decorative cosmetics and skin care products.

On the question whether the solarium is harmful to the skin, you can immediately answer that it is harmful, because UV-B rays penetrate deep into the dermis, causing changes in the collagen fibers of its deep layers, and this leads to a decrease in skin tone and wrinkles. A frequent visit to the solarium not only dries the skin, but also causes its premature aging.

The human skin can be of 6 types.

Celtic type.

European with fair skin.

European with a swarthy skin.

Mediterranean.

Asiatic.

African.

People with 5 and 6 types of skin do not need tan in the sun, but for those with 1 or 2 skin type, sunburn is contraindicated, since the risk of skin cancer is too high, even in the sun, they should use sunscreen. Well, if you really want to go to a solarium, do not try to get a dark tan, since the skin of this type is not able to produce as much melanin by itself, and using special means you can cause a malfunction, which is dangerous. Enough light tan, with the observance of the rules and duration of the procedure.

Rules for visiting the solarium

How to properly sunbathe in the solarium for the first time, you will be prompted by people who work there, and if they do not explain to you the rules of use and the time of finding, then it is worthwhile to find another salon, with workers trained by this procedure. And they should be able not only to determine the type of skin, to know how much it is possible to sunbathe with its different types, but also to tell about the peculiarities of the equipment when changing lamps, what they are power.

If you still decide to go, you need to know the rules of tanning in the solarium, this is especially important for those who go there for the first time. That your sunburn did not bring unpleasant complications in the form of a burn or overheating.

Before visiting the solarium do not need to wash with soap or other hygiene products.

It is necessary to wash off the makeup.

If the skin has tattoos, it is better to cover them or treat them with sunscreen.

The rest of the skin should be lubricated with a special tanning agent in the solarium.

Remove contact lenses and wear protective goggles.

Breast is better covered with special pads.

The hair is covered with a cap or kerchief.

Lubricate lips with moisturizing balm.

Do not forget to ask how to call the personnel or turn off the device if necessary.

The first visit should not take more than 5 minutes to sunbathe. But in some cases with light skin or with new lamps, it is better to shorten the time to 3-4 minutes. Gradually, the length of stay in the solarium is increased to 20 minutes.

After the session, you need to lubricate the skin with a special fixing and moisturizing cream, which are most often sold in the cabin itself. And if in a few hours you will not have any side effects, then you can continue the course, but only after 1-2 days.

How often you can walk a solarium without harm to health, depends on your health, but according to studies, a year can hold no more than 30 procedures. And it can be a course of 7-10 procedures every other day, and then supporting tanning procedures 1-2 times a month, or 2-3 courses a year.

Please also note that visiting the solarium can not be combined:

with cosmetic procedures (depilation, peeling);

with sunburn under the sun;

sauna or sauna.

How a tanning bed affects different people

Those who want to get a beautiful tan are interested in how the solarium can influence them. Let's answer the most popular questions.

Is the solarium harmful for men? If you follow the rules of the visit and do not try to overdo it with tanning, the solarium will not bring harm to man's health, but the probability of oncological skin diseases still remains.

Is the sun deck harmful to women? Women should avoid visiting the solarium on critical days, as changing the hormonal background can lead to the formation of pigment spots on the skin. There is also a risk of increased menstrual bleeding.

Is the solarium harmful for pregnant women? Although they say that it is harmful only because of the possibility of pigmentation, but there is one more factor. Ultraviolet rays cause the release of biologically active substances and enhance metabolic processes, which can adversely affect the fetus.

Is the solarium harmful for children? Until the age of 18, the solarium can not be visited, since the skin of children and adolescents is delicate, tender, which greatly increases the risk of developing cancer.

This is the usual effect of the solarium, if you comply with all the rules of use, take into account contraindications, and the equipment is in a normal state. But when it is not, complications can occur after visiting the solarium.

Complications

Complications when visiting the solarium can be a burn and overheating. When overheating in a solarium, the symptoms can be the following:

dizziness;

headache;

nausea.

At the first sign, call employees. Need to quickly leave the solarium chamber and go out into the fresh air, will also help a cold compress on the forehead and the back of the head.

First aid for a burn in a solarium is to apply a cream from a burn or to lubricate the skin with kefir - this folk remedy is still relevant. Go to the solarium again, especially if the burn occurred on the first visit, you can not earlier than 2-3 days, and the length of stay in it should be reduced.

Whether the solarium brings harm or benefit, each for himself must decide on his own. Many people want a beautiful, tanned body, but for the sake of it, one should not risk their health. Ultraviolet rays are useful only in small quantities, with a long, strong effect they have a damaging effect not only on the skin, but on the entire body. In northern areas, where the sun rarely pampers with its rays, a metered visit to the solarium can be useful.